CHAPTER EIGHT

“We’ve got a lot of children this year that need us,” said Matthew, looking across the table at Irene, Ruby, Sven, George, and Mary. Claudette and Jake were preparing lunch for everyone, but they would be in soon enough.

“We’ve always got a lot of children that need us,” smiled Ruby. “We’ll manage, Matthew.”

“There are more this year, and I don’t like it. Children without their folks, without siblings. Children in trouble. We’ve got adults in trouble. It’s gonna be a busy night.”

“Tell us what to do, and we’ll do it,” said Sven. “I know how to drive reindeer.” They all chuckled, nodding at the big man.

“Maybe get Grip involved,” said Irene.

“Grip?” frowned Matthew.

“He’s been feelin’ down lately, and I’m not sure why. I want him to get out more. See somethin’ other than all of us.”

“He is free to go off the grounds,” said Matthew. “They all are, technically. They’re not prisoners here. I think Grip is afraid that if he leaves, he won’t be able to get back. Maybe you’re right. Maybe he needs to get off the property and see other things, other people.”

“He was always a good, protective soul. I think that’s what he needs to do. Protect.”

“This could be a good opportunity for him,” said Sven. “I’ll speak with him and see if he can check on a few of these homes for us late at night. Give him a job to do.”

“Good. That’s good,” nodded Matthew. “What about the animals? How are they doing out there on their island?”

“They’re just fine, my darling,” said Irene, kissing his cheek. “They’re happy, and the boys are starting to come around to all of them. Even your eldest son.”

“He’s your eldest too,” laughed Matthew. “He is a stubborn one, but he makes me so proud. How about the food baskets?”

“We got that taken care of,” said George. “Me and Mary have been workin’ with Claudette and Jake. More than seven thousand this year. Lots of folks needin’ a helpin’ hand, and we’re gonna give it to them.”

“Where are they being stored? The Sugar Lodge isn’t big enough for all of those,” said Ruby.

“Don’t you worry,” smiled George. “We’ve got them secure and safe in a temperature-controlled holdin’ cell. They’re all good.”

“I trust you, George,” laughed Ruby. “We’ve got twelve more families to buy for. I think we need to head into town and pick up the rest of what we need and get those wrapped.”

“Sounds like a plan,” said Matthew. “We’ll have one of the boys drive us, and another bring the extra SUV for all the packages.”

Although everyone was busy, Luke sent his brothers with the older folks to get their shopping done. Carl, Ben, and Adam were grateful for what they considered easy duty. Following the elderly people around the mall should be an easy task.

It was not.

“Grandma! Grandma, wait up!” yelled Adam.

“Adam, I don’t have time to be waitin’ on you all day. Carry them bags. Use them big muscles of yours and follow me. We got stuff to do.”

Ruby smirked at the young man, knowing he was trying to figure out how his grandmother was able to move so quickly, and he was struggling to keep up.

“Grandpa, I’ll get that,” said Ben, running towards his grandfather at the sporting goods store. Matthew reached up to the second rack and pulled down a bicycle, George grabbing a second one, and Sven grabbing a third.

“Why am I here?” frowned Ben.

“You’re here to help us get all this back. We’re not feeble,” smirked Matthew.

“I never thought you were, Grandpa, but you lifted those bikes like they were nothing.” Matthew gripped his shoulders, kissing his forehead as he always did.

“When you’re on a mission, son, you become focused. You don’t know your own strength sometimes. I’m sure you’ve encountered that a time or two.” Ben stared at his grandfather, then the other two gentlemen.

“Not like that,” he frowned.

“Grandma!” yelled Carl. “Grandma, why do we need thirty-four pairs of running shoes?”

“I told you. Are y’all deaf?” she frowned. “I swear I’ve said this a million times. The families all need shoes. Mama, Daddy, boys, girls, all of ‘em. Do you understand now?”

“Yes, ma’am,” nodded Carl. “The store manager is sure gonna like us today. We’re about to make his sales for the month.”

“Doesn’t matter,” said Matthew. “We’re going to make a few families happy, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll believe again. We’re here for a reason.”

“I wish I had your faith, Grandpa,” said Adam.

“One day you will,” he grinned.

“No one move!” yelled a young man standing at the register. His hands were shaking, but he held a pistol pointed right at the lines of people. “Pull out your cash.”

“Shit,” muttered Carl. “I’ll go behind him.”

“No,” said Matthew.

“Grandpa, this isn’t one that you can tell me what to do. I’m going behind him.”

“And I said, no.” Matthew’s tone was stern and severe, something the boys hadn’t heard in ages, and it was unsettling.

Carl just stared at Matthew, watching as he slowly moved forward toward the young man. He was standing on the counter of the register, the young girl crouched behind it. Men and women had baskets full of items, waiting their turn.

“Old man, don’t move. Give me your wallet.”

“That’s just it,” smiled Matthew. “I don’t have my wallet. I forgot it today.”

“Bullshit!”

“You’re afraid,” said Matthew calmly. “So are these people. Let them go, and I’ll give you whatever you need.”

The young man stared at the old man in front of him, shaking his head. He seemed sturdy and solid, but there was something else about him that was making him squirm.

“I-I can’t. I can’t,” said the man. Matthew could see the emotions building up in the young man. He didn’t want to hurt anyone. He didn’t want to be here. But he was.

“What’s your name, son?” asked Matthew.

“Joe. Joseph,” he stuttered. “Please. Just give me your cash. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“Let them go. I promise you I’ll give you whatever you need. You have my word, Joseph.” Matthew moved slowly toward the lines, nodding at the people. “Just leave your baskets and move on. Go on now. Joseph isn’t going to hurt you.”

The stunned customers quickly moved out of the store, turning to stare at the strange old man.

“What the hell is he doing?” growled Adam.

“I don’t know, but I trust him. Carl is moving around to the back of him. We’ll stay right here. Move the others behind us.” Adam pushed his grandmother, Ruby, and Mary behind him, Sven and George refusing to move from their spot.

“God, y’all are some stubborn old people,” growled Ben.

“Yep,” nodded George.

“Joseph, you’re having a hard time right now. I know it’s difficult, but you’ll find work soon. This isn’t the way.”

“H-how did you know that? How could you know I need work?”

“Why else would you be waving a gun around at innocent folks?” said Matthew calmly.

“I just wanted to get food and get the kids some toys for Christmas, some warm clothes. Is that too much for a man to ask?”

“No, son, it isn’t,” said Matthew, moving closer to him. “Will you sit down on the counter so I look you in the eye?”

Carl, Ben, and Adam were surprised that the man did exactly as their grandfather asked. They watched in amazement as Matthew allowed him to hold his rusted pistol, crying as he whispered to him. His mouth was right at the young man’s ear. As he spoke, the man would nod at Matthew, his emotions bubbling over now.

“Everything will be okay now,” said Matthew. “Don’t look up. Place the gun on the counter, and I want you to take what’s in my hand and leave the store quickly. No one will remember your face. You go on home and take care of your wife and those little children.”

Matthew handed the young man a handful of one-hundred-dollar bills, squeezing his fingers over it. Wrapped inside was the name of a warehouse downtown that needed forklift drivers. It paid well, with benefits.

“How did you know?” he asked the old man.

“God works in mysterious ways, Joseph,” he grinned. He placed a kiss on his forehead, holding his warm lips there for a moment. Joseph set the rusted gun on the counter, and Ben grabbed it, tucking it in his pants. The thing was so old it probably would have misfired.

Now standing on the floor, he looked up at the old man who didn’t appear so old any longer. His whiskey-colored eyes were filled with compassion and kindness. He looked at the women and other men behind him, shaking his head.

“It’s alright,” said Irene. “Do as Matthew said. Take that and go help your family.”

The young man turned and walked out of the store, not even turning to look one last time.

“Grandpa, that man should have been arrested,” said Carl.

“Why?”

“Because he broke the law!”

“So, we send a desperate man to jail that only wanted to provide for his family? And if he were in jail, his family would still be hungry, cold, and desperate. Let me ask you something, Carl. If you had no money, no job, no family, and your children were hungry and without warm clothes, what would you do?” Carl was silent for a moment. He knew he would answer his grandfather honestly.

“Anything. Anything I needed to do,” he said calmly.

“That’s right. And so did that young man. He’ll have a job by tomorrow morning, and his family will have food and a nice holiday. We’ve done what we came to do.”

“Wait? What about all this stuff?” asked Adam.

“Buy it. We’ll find families for it,” said Matthew. “We’ll meet you in the car.”

The three brothers stood gaping at their grandparents and their friends as they walked hand-in-hand to the waiting SUV. Carl looked at Ben and Adam, shaking his head.

“You heard him. Buy it all.”